Un-Bep’ee – Alpha Zone #193 Level 1 – 20
Despite the majority of the party asking if the other members had seen their unaccounted for loved ones or not, everyone was on amicable terms after the first few kilometers of their journey. They had subsequently shared their countries of origin in a bid to get to know each other.
After Calvin had found Judy, he had gotten his hopes up that he would be lucky enough to find his Grandparents, or any other village members for that matter.
The Party had made good progress once out of the outpost, only running into a single large Horned Beetle, which Michelle and Terrance quickly dispatched with a [Shield Bash] plus [Magic Missile] combo. Much to Un-Bep’ee’s surprise, no one panicked or ran at the appearance of the massive beetle not 15 feet down the jungle path from the party of six. Furthering his growing confidence in their endeavor, he had yet to make use of his healing ability.
However after that, the chit chat of his traveling companions noticeably lessened, for all but the occasional query of someone asking if someone else did in fact “hear that noise?”
Delving into the forest off the left of the jungle path at behest of the guidance arrow, they made much slower progress, due to the fact that they had to constantly work around a plethora of giant roots, trunks, vines, ferns and assorted shrubbery.
Some 30 minutes after they had left the worn dirt path behind, everybody came to an abrupt halt. The cause of which to everyone’s relief and trepidation, being the translucent green arrow that had been present in their vision since they had accepted quests, had abruptly vanished.
Svetlana was the first to speak up in her strong Russian accent and commanding tone, as she looked to each of the members in turn.
“It seems we have arrived at one of the quests hunting grounds. Everyone have your abilities ready. I propose that Calvin and Terrance take the turns of bashing with the shields, then me or Judy steps in to finish off enemy. As much as I know you are hungry for blood Michelle, it would be best if you and Un-Bep’ee are fail safe to take care of unplanned enemy.”
Everyone present nodded firm but silent ascent to her instructions, Michelle looked like she wanted to say something but refrained. Svetlana seemed assured yet calm in her advice, making Un-Bep’ee wonder just what type of life the beautiful but domineering woman had led up to this point.
Thus the group proceeded in a tighter formation, warily eyeing their surroundings. The two Apprentice Knight’s took point, whilst Svetlana and Judy were the rear guard, whereas Michelle and Un-Bep’ee occupied the center.
Edging onward with baited breath, the party made their way forward as their eyes strained at the shadows cast by the dappled light that filtered through the gigantic, ever present canopy.
Strangely enough, apart from Svetlana, Un-Bep’ee seemed to be the least jumpy of the bunch, with some of the other members startling occasionally at a stepped on twig or the rustle of leaves overhead. He told himself that he should not judge them too harshly as his upbringing was hardly common for the modern world, all the while he patiently traversed forward into the unknown at the center of his new friends.
Several minutes later Terrance brought up his sword hand in a halting gesture, causing everyone to stop and look around warily. He then signaled again, but this time pointed his short sword toward a large fern, only then did the other members notice the single goblin camouflaged behind one of its giant fronds.
The Goblins back was facing the group, whilst there appeared to be a yellowish pool forming between its spindly legs as its outline visibly began to sag, in apparent relaxation.
Noticing its distraction, Svetlana tapped Terrance on the shoulder then pointed to Judy, following it up with her index finger up to her lips in a signal for quiet, then finally pointed at the goblins distracted pointy eared outline.
Creeping forward, Terrance and Judy had made to within a few feet of the miniature green humanoid then Terrance’s foot found a twig which released an audible *snap!*. To his credit, when the goblins head whipped round, he was already mid lunge and cried out as he closed the distance;
“SHIELD BASH!”
Cannoning its small frame into the fern as Terrance struck its left shoulder with his shield, it rebounded a little like a wrestler from the ropes, while the fern rocked in concert from the collision. Terrance in turn, was forced to stumble backwards, landing on his rear and dropping his sword.
Panicking, the Welshman frantically scrambled to the left in a half commando crawl, to retrieve it. However there was no need for his concern as Judy had already followed up on his attack with quiet precision.
“Shadow Step.”
Disappearing from behind the prone Terrance, she reappeared directly behind the stunned goblin. Her pair of daggers in hand, she had an almost euphoric look on her face as she plunged them into either side of its lower neck, causing a fountain of red blood to exit the doomed creature.
It only managed to release gurgle in response to the outpouring of violence from the humans, as the blood continued to flow down its battered frame. The Goblin’s life left its black and beady eyes, just as it finished its collapse in front of the fern its blood mingling with its urine on the jungle floor:
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 1, all experience awarded equally.
The space around the corpse was eerily silent for a few seconds before Calvin spoke in a hissing accusatory voice.
“Holy shit Judy! What the hell!?!”
She turned to look at him after deftly using a fern frond to wipe her daggers blades, quirking an eyebrow she asked in an amused whisper.
“Problem?”
This caused Un-Bep’ee to smirk at her collected demeanor, he was getting the feeling that he and Svetlana might not be the only ones with some combat experience at this point.
“Y-you just went full on assassin on the goblin and you’re asking me if I have a problem?”
Calvin asked in a bewildered hiss to which Judy hissed in response.
“We came here to kill them Cal, what else do you want me to do?”
By this time Terrance had finished retrieving his short sword and dusting himself off when Calvin retorted angrily;
“That’s not wha-“
But Svetlana interjected in a low amused tone;
“As much as I enjoy this quarrel of lovers, it is a poor time or place my little friend.”
The red-sih tinge to the face of the young Asian Australian belied the manner in which he was about to respond, prompting Un-Bep’ee to step forward and put a hand lightly on his shoulder, adding.
“She is correct my friend, who knows how many more of the green ones are about.”
Calvin clenched his jaw but stayed silent, staring daggers at Judy who seemed to have moved on from the conversation completely and was now scanning their surroundings.
“Ok, let us resume formations and proceed quietly as before. Calvin you and I take next goblin yes?”
Svetlana quietly queried. Calvin’s only response was a terse nod before getting back into formation without so much as a word.
In uncomfortable and wary silence the party once more, pressed ever deeper into the green bosom of the gigantic jungle.
It did not take long for the group to come upon another goblin, except this time however they were less fortunate. With Terrance and Calvin skirting the edge of a monolithic tree trunk, as they were clambering over a colossal root their gazes, near simultaneously, met those of two more of the green humanoids.
Like the previous one they had encountered, these two had simple loin cloths for garbs and rudimentary looking bone daggers as armaments. Yet this time they were not caught unawares and issued loud shrieks of alarm as they charged at the two shield and sword wearing enemies that had just come into view.
Calvin was the first to take action, quickly followed by Terrance who Un-Bep’ee noted, intelligently waited for his counterpart to pick a target before committing to his own. What followed were syncopated yet identical shouting from the pair.
“SHIELD BASH!” “SHIELD BASH!”
The two cannoned into their selected targets as the rest of their group finished rounding the tree’s trunk. True to her word, Svetlana charged Calvin’s stunned target with her arms coiled behind her spear, before jabbing three times in quick succession at the goblins lolling head.
The results of her efforts produced a staccato *thwak* *thwak* *thwak* as her spear punctured it’s skull like an over ripe melon, spear tip width spurts of blood, issuing forth from the now dead goblins cranium. Not to be outdone Judy was only two heartbeats behind as she whispered.
“Shadow Step.”
Appearing to the right of Terrance’s prone victim she used one hand to grab it’s unresisting head and lift it enough for her other hands dagger to have free reign over the hapless goblins throat. She too was rewarded with more of the green humanoids blood as it slumped to the ground and she deftly stepped clear:
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 2, all experience awarded equally.
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 1, all experience awarded equally
Calvin was the first to speak in hurried, but relieved tone.
“Good job there guys…sorry I almost panicked and froze up.”
Svetlana responded whilst eyeing Judy’s turned back as she cleaned her spear on a large vines leaf;
“Fear in this situations is not think to be ashamed of, it would be more of problem if you enjoyed them.”
Willing away the boxed notifications, Un-Bep’ee set to surveying the impromptu battle ground for any friendly injured. Gladly finding none he was about to join Calvin in congratulating his group for a successful engagement when he heard more goblin-esque cries from his rear, which was far too close for comfort.
Turning in alarm, he saw three more green little monsters break from the undergrowth at the same time, bone knives at the ready as they quickly closed the 20 or so feet to his position. Momentarily startled at the ambush he froze for the first time in years.
“Un’Bep’ee and Michelle, get to corpses and keep your back to tree!”
Svetlana commanded as she rushed to intercept the sprinting goblins mirroring their speed. Terrance was not far behind though far less nimble followed by Calvin and Judy respectively.
Un-Bep’ee grabbed the frozen Michelle’s arm as he dragged her toward the fallen goblins, trying desperately not to trip over log sized protruding roots. He didn’t waste time looking back until he and Michelle were safely situated side by side, in the crook of the giant trees tapering root system.
“I’ll take the right one mate!”
Terrance said picking his target first as Svetlana in turn directed.
“Michelle get revenge on middle one!”
Nodding in response she stammered as she seemed to come to her senses.
“O-ok”
“Guess that means I’m left with the left!”
Calvin confirmed.
Taking in the scene from the relative safety of the tree’s nook Un-Bep’ee could only describe it as another one sided slaughter. His teammates coordinated cries of their abilities and corresponding actions led to the three small green figures previous lethal looking charge being curtailed in a matter of moments as Michelle’s Magic Missile brought an end to the advancing trio:
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 1, all experience awarded equally.
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 2, all experience awarded equally.
You have leveled up!
Your party has slain a Goblin Scout level 1, all experience awarded equally.
Willing the boxes away Un-Bep’ee queried the team about their health and this newest box.
“Ok my friends if anyone is injured please let me help you. I seem to have leveled up? So if someone could tell me what this means I would greatly appreciate it.”
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The rest of the party shook their heads in the negative to his offer of assistance, Chuckling Calvin was the one to respond whilst smiling good-naturedly.
“I’m all good for heals mate, Just got a level up myself! And although I’m definitely new to experiencing it in the flesh, I can explain some terminology to you, as I’m guessing you didn’t play a lot of computer games as a kid?”
Terrance then spoke up in a chagrined voice.
“I’m not afraid to admit that I’m also out of me ruddy depth and could use a bit of explaining about my sodding level up as well.”
Svetlana forestalled any further conversation as she interjected standing from a kneeling position near a goblin body and raising her hand.
“Good work my friends, first I think it wise we retreat a little from this area to where we have come. Then we may talk of levels and such. There is also some things I must discuss when we are safe.”
Taking the lead, Terrance cautiously started heading back the way they had come followed by the rest of the group, still sticking to a tight defensive formation.
After they had passed the area of their first kill and were in sight of the dirt track Svetlana stopped raising an open hand in a halting gesture and once again spoke up in an excited tone.
“This should be good, ok so I have made important discovery! You know our abilities yes?”
Receiving nods in the affirmative from the Party she continued.
“Well I have found that you do not need to call the names of them for them to work! Michelle if you could do me the favor of shooting the fern over there with your missile of magic, whilst thinking to do it instead of saying it yes?”
Svetlana queried whilst indicating the desired epiphyte with her spear.
Michelle’s half covered face screwed up in concentration as she held out her wooden staff in front of her as a ball of purple energy manifested then shot at speed to the offending fern. Eye widening in surprise she took a moment to stare at the smoking divot in the trunk of it.
“Now you see my meaning? I suggest you all take little time to get used to this way as it is much better but more importantly quieter yes?”
She said taking an educational tone with the group as her eyes sparkled in delight.
And so he watched as the party tried out their newfound silent casting on the surrounding and defenseless greenery. having a noticeably negative impact on the very nature of things.
As Un-bep’ee was unsure whether or not he could heal the smoking fern, his attempted casting of [Cure Light Wounds] was halfhearted at best. However he was overjoyed when he mental willed the spell at the wounded epiphyte, the resulting dim infusion of light encompassing the miniature crater Michelle had made visibly lessened in depth whilst also no longer smoking.
Remembering his earlier question he shook himself from his sense of achievement and once more posed his question.
“So now that we are sort of safe, could someone please tell me what I should do with this level up?”
Smiling sheepishly Calvin stopped concentrating on a defenseless tree trunk he had scarred and responded.
“Sorry mate, just got a little distracted… So um if your not familiar with games I guess we should start with what you do know. I’m assuming you have accessed your ‘stat’ screen yeah?”
Un-Bep’ee nodded in the affirmative, so Calvin proceeded to tell him how attributes affected things and each individual trait could be linked to a damage enhancement, a resource type, a reaction speed, a defensive value or in lucks case, increases in positive outcomes for instances of chance.
Trying to take the new information in, Un-Bep’ee and the others would interject if they were unsure or wanted to provide their own personal views on the attribute at hand.
As informative as it was to be brought up to speed by the impromptu Q&A, everyone present agreed that as similar to a video game as this might seem, this definitely was far too life like to be a virtual reality game.
The others also came to the consensus that while the system for the pseudo game was in their own language, the translation passive skill that everyone had might only make terms and descriptions an approximation at best.
When he asked what virtual reality was, much to everyone’s mild amusement, they gave him another on the spot layman’s lecture, leaving him to also concur with the others assessment that this was in fact real life.
“Thank you all kindly for your patience and understanding, I will just take a moment to distribute the ‘stats’ as you called them.”
Nodding his agreement Terrance added.
“I know Un-Bep’ee’s the one who asked but thanks are due on my end too.”
“Haha, no worries guys, glad to help, I should do the stats thing too before I forget…again…”
Calvin confirmed good naturedly.
Nodding appreciatively at the affable Australian, Un-bep’ee proceeded to mentally intone ‘status’:
STATUS
Name: Un-Bep’ee
Age: 19
Titles: N/A
Class 1:Apprentice Cleric Level : 2
Class 2: N/A
Profession: N/A
HP: 27/27 MP: 35/35
Status Effects: N/A
Vitality: 11
Strength: 10 (+3) Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 14 (+4) Wisdom: 14 (+3)
Charisma: 6 Luck: 6
Undistributed Attribute points: 0
Passives –
Human: + 5 attribute points per level
Lingua System: Able to communicate verbally with any system integrated entity and be understood
Quick witted: + 5% to Intelligence
One With The Crowd: + 10% to damage dealt and -15% damage taken when fighting alongside others, -10% damage dealt and + 10% damage taken when fighting alone
Skills – Apprentice Cleric
1) Cure Light Wounds (LvL 1): Cast a minor holy light on a single target and heal minor wounds instantly whilst restoring + 5HP (Amount healed, cooldown and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 5 Mana, Cast time: 5 seconds, Cooldown: 30 seconds
2) N/A
3) N/A
4) N/A
5) N/A
6) N/A
His reasoning behind the attribute distributions was that whilst intelligence and wisdom would be his most beneficial attributes, he still might need the strength to hit things and actually defend himself.
Once the allocation was finalized he thought he felt a tingling throughout his entire being, which after a few uncomfortable seconds, disappeared. Willing away the screen and keeping a wary eye on his surroundings, he said.
“I have finished my status friends, are we to continue our questing again?”
Terrance spoke up.
“One second mate….annnnnd…done! Alright gang I’m good to go!”
“Done as well.
Added Calvin.
“Let’s get keep this murder train rolling!”
Agreed Judy, brimming with enthusiasm. Un-Bep’ee concealed his smile as Calvin began to frown in obvious reaction.
The almost mute Michelle just gave a grim nod, conviction clear on the visible half of her face. After which Svetlana spoke up.
“I would like to speak of one more thing with you all, I had the good fortune to find a Manamote on one of the little green men back there and I would like to know others thoughts on how we distribute ones we find?”
Not wanting to make a bad impression, Un-Bep’ee offered.
“For now I do not feel I have contributed anything of note so I would not feel right taking one. Perhaps in the future when I am more necessary.”
“I for one would feel a whole lot better if our healer was an equal member right from the start. What do you think we should do, oh fearless leader?”
Terrance said then looked first to Un-Bep’ee followed by Svetlana, causing the latter to smile slightly. But before Svetlana could reply Judy spoke up.
“Who says she gets to decide!?”
“Judy!”
Calvin admonished. Which led the once silent Michelle to state.
“Whatever Svetlana decides gets my vote.”
“Mine too.”
Calvin confirmed whilst glaring Judy’s direction.
“Fiiiinnnnee”
Judy lamented before letting out a defeated sigh:
Svetlana is now the designated leader of your Party.
Un-Bep’ee blinked in mild shock and noted the rest of his party in similar states of surprise.
“Guess that’s decided then!”
Judy added in a snarky tone while folding her arms in annoyance, before Svetlana reconfirmed.
“If this is what you all think is best, then I shall agree. For the Manamotes I propose we use simple system of everyone getting one then start again from top, It will be Judy, Michelle, Un-Bep’ee, Terrance, Calvin then myself. Is this acceptable to all?
The group nodded, even Judy who was pleasantly surprised to be the first recipient, receiving a subsequent handshake from Svetlana which Un-Bep’ee could only assume was a transfer of the Manamote in question.
“Now with house keepings done let us proceed as before yes?”
Svetlana asked of the expectant group to which the rest gave their silent ascent and once more formed up in the loose defensive formation as they retraced their steps with the aide of the translucent green arrow.
Once back at the sight of their first goblin kill, the tracking arrow had disappeared again and Un-bep’ee was glad to see the area relatively undisturbed. He looked to their newly appointed leader who was checking the corpse, she indicated with her spear and a finger to her lips motioning for them to continue to where they had left off.
A short while later they were at the area where they had their last engagement with the green foes as he once more noted that the corpses were left undisturbed. Tensely eyeing their surrounds he noted the others were doing the same.
Svetlana once more, silently motioned for them to continue after checking the other 4 corpses before giving Michele a trading handshake.
Spoils from their previous kills now claimed, the Party pressed ever onward into the giant and eerily silent jungle.
Like this they continued for a good half hour, encountering no further resistance until they came upon the edge of a clearing.
Svetlana took a crouching position and indicated for them all to do the same as they edged closer to take in the clearings contents.
What Un-Bep’ee saw made his blood run cold and his breath catch in his throat.
In the center of the stump dotted clearing, a good 200 meters away was a rudimentary fort, obviously made from the felled trees necessary to facility the cleared expanse in the densely treed jungle. The basic fort consisted of four watch towers about 5 meters tall with a wall joining the four up that was a good 2 meters tall itself. Both rudimentary constructions consisted of large logs dug into the ground and strapped together with some form of rope.
At the center of the enclosure was the roof of what looked to be a hall of sorts, with other smaller dwellings roof tops only just visible behind the confines of the wooden wall encompassing it.
The main cause of Un-Bep’ee’s alarm however, was the fact that the watchtowers and only visible gate into the fort were occupied by much larger iterations of the goblins. But instead of the small bone carved weapons of their smaller counterparts, they instead wielded sharpened rock tipped spears and donned crude tanned hide armor.
The visible guards numbered in the mid-twenties and although not all of them were focused on their guard duties, each and every green creature in sight had a perceptible sense of battle readiness to them.
The party stayed quietly near the edge of the clearing obscured by enlarged shrubs and ferns to observe the fort for several tense minutes, till Svetlana held up a hand and pointed with her spear from her concealed position back from whence they had come.
Nodding understanding Un-Bep’ee and the rest followed the silent instruction, travelling back into the jungle a good 500 meters before Judy broke the silence with a hissed whisper.
“Well I think I speak for everyone when I say, what the fuck are we gonna do about that fort!?”
“As we are now I think it not possible for us to complete the tier 2 quest, that or we need to form Raiding Party, thoughts?”
Svetlana countered in a cool but regretful tone, leading Terrance to add in an almost somberly.
“I’m in agreement, not a chance of us making it past that wall without getting spotted and mobbed.”
“No arguments here, definitely not a fan of becoming Goblin Shishkabob.”
Calvin concurred.
However Michelle seemed to have other ideas.
“What is we set fire to it?”
But Terrance, obviously having experience with such matters, doused her fledgling plan, near instantly.
“Fraid that won’t fly love. Unless we use petrol or ruddy napalm on it, it just won’t catch, the woods far too green.”
“I think it is best if we are not going to be attacking the fort to make a quick plan of action as I do not want to find what other monsters reside in this jungle after nightfall.”
Un-Bep’ee stated as he continued to scan the surroundings nervously.
“So new proposition, we skirt edge of fort and kill small goblins till we have complete first quest, then we go for Horned Beetles yes?”
Svetlana proffered. To which Judy began to lament.
“There has to be some way to get in there, I just do-“
But was cut off halfway by an irate Calvin.
“Enough Judy! Someones gonna die if we try it, we’ve been lucky so far!”
Judy began to scowl at him for a moment and just as she opened her mouth to respond, Svetlana cleared her throat and spoke in a whisper once more.
“Ok so let us move before the night takes us.”
Then motioned with her spear to the left and though not all were happy with the way things had turned out, none voiced further descent as the party formed up in near silence, and began to traverse the jungle in a cautious manner parallel to the clearing.
Skirting the clearing at a safe distance they failed to find any of the smaller goblins for roughly half an hour of their crawling and cautious journey in the adjacent jungle.
Just as Un-Bep’ee was getting ready to ask if they should head back to the outpost before nightfall there was the sound of yelling and flashing lights coming through the monolithic tree trunks and shrubbery to their right.
Svetlana motioning in the direction of the fracas with her spear followed by the customary finger to lips gesture for silence, the party followed as they made for the edge of the clearing once more, albeit with more urgency than their previous approach.
Reaching the edge of the tree line yet again, what Un-Bep’ee saw this time made his heart race with anticipation and adrenaline. Across the other side of the clearing, there were about ten or so humans wielding various weapons and shooting the odd spell or arrow at the aggravated larger variants of the green humanoids. The guarding goblins had been drawn about halfway across the cleared and stump festooned ground, in an attempt to close the distance with their ranged attackers and were hurriedly closing the distance on the tactfully retreating humans.
Looking to Svetlana he saw the rest of the group do the same as they sought a plan of action in the chaotically unfolding battle before them. Taking a moment’s pause and rubbing her chin with her freehand in thought she said matter of factly.
“Here we are presented with three options, however time is not our friend so we must decide quickly in this.”
Confirming everyone understood she continued.
“One, we do nothing and head for outpost. Two, we help those across clearing in fight directly. Three, and this is my favorite and personal choice. We sneak in camp and kill chief, that is presumably in big hall, whilst guards are distracted.”
Following the laying out of her third plan she proffered a wolfish grin as she looked to the rest.
“Three”
Judy rejoined near instantly. Followed up almost as quickly by Michelle.
“Three.”
With trepidation in his voice, Terrance confirmed.
“Three.”
“Two.”
Calvin added in a guilty tone, refusing to meet the others and finding a spot on the ground to focus on instead.
“Two.”
Un-Bep’ee offered after a pause, before putting a hand on Calvin’s shoulder and squeezing in a reassuring manner. Summarily Svetlana added.
“So this is four for plan three and two for plan two. I am sorry that you two feel this way but you chose me to lead for a reason and this is such a time that I ask you to follow, but I cannot make you do this thing, you must choose it yourselves…”
Calvin looked first to the other four then to Un-Bep’ee and gave a helpless shrug as he rejoined.
“Fine…I’m with you, but for the record I was against the plan.”
“I will not leave people that I have agreed to help, especially when things do not go my way.”
Un-Bep’ee added with a smile and a nod to Calvin and Svetlana.
The sound of blood curdling screams and bone rattling bellows carried from the fight across the clearing still in full swing. With all present in grudging agreement Svetlana saw no reason to hesitate any longer as she motioned with her spear toward the camp and stated with a firm yet quiet audible whisper.
“Let us be quick and quiet. And I guarantee, we are to make it out alive!”
Pausing briefly before adding in strained warning.
“Please do not make liar of me…”
Tensing at the weight of her words, he followed the others in formation, whilst the party scampered quietly across no man’s land.
All the while, Un-Bep’ee couldn’t help but feel the trepidation build within him as they moved as one toward the imposing stronghold, of the skinned green monstrous beings.