The day had come, the air was filled with fragments of the seal. Steeling ourselves we took our longest step, some tiny voice in my head took the opportunity to disrupt me with the iconic speech from another world (it is but one step....). In that moment the sunlight finally showered us in its warm rays again, then we were flooded by blue boxes.
-Quest unlocked
-New race [unnamed] has appeared!
As first of a new race title
will now be awarded
Due to no patron claiming creation, race [unnamed] has been registered as independent race!
Due to unique physiology, [unnamed] race has received the status:
-[monster race] [intelligent race] [humanoid race]
-[energy affinity] [evolution] [dragonic heritage]
Racial bonus has been set
-[unwavering will]
-[Seamless optical camouflage]
-[poisonous]
-[Blood rage]
Independent race bonus activated!
-Scrying immunity, no god or being can use remote means track [unnamed]race
-First 50 generations will produce pure offspring even in the event of interbreeding
-Growth correction for the first ten generations
-Neutral standing with all races (may differ due to prejudices)
-Divine protection until fully established, protection from local gods
Quest: Pilgrimage of the first!
As the first beings of your race, you have received the quest to carve out a place in the world for your people. Claim a capital and a name to begin the history of your kin.
-[nomadic] status granted until capital claimed
Rewards depend on achievements during the quest!
No time limit
I broke down laughing, my sudden change immediately alerted my family, a few tons hysterically laughing Imoogi are hard to miss though. “This is the best that could have happened!
It took me a moment to get my feelings back under control, all the while my family looked at me with big question-marks in their eyes. Smiling as wide as my muzzle allowed I slumped onto my belly, all the tension that had built up over the last few days leaving my body.
Gale was the first to regain her wit “My notifications had no mention of
“Sorry, what I mean is that we have been granted [independent race] status, which is basically preventing any direct meddling of higher beings from this world. It is a full set of things that are meant to allow natural evolved races to get footing in the world.”
Mother came wobbling over and took a seat on my paw. “I only got some notifications of holding your bloodline and some new racial traits that honestly look very good. Especially the [unwavering will] looks promising, even if I fear that a race that cannot be enslaved will get us some enemies sooner or later. So you will have to explain, I did not get any information on [independent race] or the protection you speak of.”
In my merry mood I gave mother a lick on the face which left her a bit drenched and looking accusingly at me. “The [independent race] bonus boils down to faster growth for ten generations, immunity to scrying, 50 generations of pure offspring and prevents gods to meddle with us. This is active until we are established. So whatever you do, do not name us and do not claim a home. As long as we do not do that we at least get partial protection and the [nomadic] bonus.”
A strong patting on my belly brought my attention to father who still did not have his strength under control. Those pettings would have snapped a human in half! “I think we should get moving, even if the scrying is blocked, I rather not be here if that gods comes checking what happened to his prisoner.”
Fathers words immediately sobered us up and we began heading north, slowly though as four of us had trouble with their balance. Just as we were resting on a small hill that gave us a good view over the temple ruins from a distance the sky warped. A humongous golden leg descended from the clouds, the sounds of breaking stones arrived seconds later as the limb crushed the pagoda into nothingness.
As fast as it had appeared the golden limb disappeared in the sky. “And that is a lower god:” was my needless comment to my family that had become quite pale. “ We should get some more distance between us and that ruin I am not sure if that thing has also sent its mortal minions.”
The potential danger made my family mount up and we sped through the night intending to gain as much distance to the ruins as we could. We kept the speed up for two days until we stumbled upon a forest hut. My sense of smell immediately told me that the hut had since a long time not housed a single soul anymore. With the promise of a roof over the head for the night we approached the wooden hut.
Do you want to claim this for your race?
Yes/No
With more annoyance than necessary No was selected. “I think we should use the opportunity of a solid roof to restock our reserves. If the inventory of my hoard stomach is correct we are in immediate need of food and water. Also we should use the time to fix gear that was damaged in the clash with the golems. Maybe we could also craft completely new gear, I guess father would welcome the challenge to create better pieces more suited for our changed forms.” Father only nodded his agreement to my statement.
“Kai could you try to see if any larger prey is around. We will tidy up this hut until then, even if only temporary I am not eager to have pests nesting in my fur.” I readily agreed with mothers request, it was finally time to hunt again!
I caused a small rumble as I dove into the earth, leaving my busy family behind. My inner animal rejoiced as I tasted the air. It only took me a moment as the familiar smell of a Malamö hit my tongue. There was an entire herd in this forest, homing in on the source the smell began to gradually change. Now there were traces of fear and distress mixed into the trail of the herd.
My battle instincts began to analyze the situation, grass, trees, Malamö, humans, blood, fear and some animal I could not identify. Taking the risk of showing myself I took a brief sneak above the surface, the scene I was privy to was beyond chaotic.
Roughly fifteen humans in crude equipment and spears were trying to keep some giant bear on distance. The animal was already injured, spears had cost it an eye but it seemed to only further enrage the behemoth. Behind it lay the remains of at least three Malamö that had been ripped apart like confetti, which made counting them quite challenging.
POV human farm guard
I should have known that a post so close to the dreaded forests could not be good, no matter how good the pay was! Enticed by a wage three times higher than I could have earned as a city guard I had responded to the call.
The rumors of war had done the remaining work to convince me that a post so far out was the best place to lay low. The man in charge of me and twenty other guards had trained us in repelling beasts from the royal breeding grounds. At first everything went well, we had some run ins with the occasional predator but most were stopped by the spiked fences that would have served well as main-walls for a medium village.
Everything had changed as two days ago a tremor had disrupted the silence, we even lost a guard as the Malamö had in their panic run over the poor lad. The following days had become hell, animals and beasts that should only appear in the center regions of the forest began to migrate and appear around the complex!
Finally the fence broke as a large mutated beast stormed the fields. Before we could react, a fortune in Malamö was ripped apart, only our intense training prevented us from running. We even managed to wound the thing but it refused to become intimidated by us, every wound we caused only fueled its anger.
It would not be long until its growing rage overwhelmed its caution for the puny spears we were poking it with. I was sure that it would be my last day on this land as I prayed to our god to grant me a place in the fields of battle. So preoccupied with my own impending demise I did not notice the ripple in the earth.
Suddenly something black broke out of the ground, the beast had been as surprised as us. Some kind of snake shot out from the very earth. In but a moment it had the bear in a stranglehold. The sounds of snapping bones as its mighty body contracted around the mutated bear will forever haunt me in my dreams!
As fast as it had appeared the thing dove back into the ground. The bear disappeared with it, the earth closed seamlessly behind the subterranean beast. Whatever that thing had been, I was glad to not be of any size that a beast of that dimension would even consider as appetizer.
My respect and fear of that forest grew even bigger, if I were to survive this stampede I would gladly return to a city even as a beggar. Eagerly would I press my head against a dirty road as long as I never had to get close to these dreaded lands again.
POV Kai
In the end I saved the humans, despite changing my color and telling myself that the bear was perfect for our cause or how good its hide would be for new gear; It was barely enough to drown the tiny voice in my head that told me I had shown compassion for their plight. It took the entire way back to the hut to convince myself that I had done the deed to earn some karma and materials. But deep down I knew, the seal was growing weaker, if such emotions began seep out already.
Dragging the bear through the earth proved quite, easy due to my increased familiarity in controlling the earth. As I was getting close to the hut I noticed another potential target. Barely one hundred meter were between me and the dwelling as I activated all skills to hide myself. Slowing down to barely a crawl my target came into sight. The tiny creature had not noticed my approach as I sneaked closer. It was placing freshly washed cloth onto a thin cord to have it dry in the sun.
Finally I was close enough, carefully my nose rose over the surface I took a deep breath and forcefully exhaled! The skirt of the tiny creature flew up exposing her furry form to the world.
Immediately I dove again as Gale's angry shout echoed through the forest “KAI!! IF I GET YOUR SCALY BEHIND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR A BEATING!” Still snickering I resurfaced close to my father who was busy felling a dead tree. The broken hilts scattered around told me of his hard time to find the proper force to deal with the task.
“Welcome back big girl, was your hunt successful or is your good mood solely based on playing a prank on Gale?” With quite an effort my tail ripped the carcass out of the earth, the smell of its blood immediately spread across the clearing.
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“Nice catch, have not seen such a large Oliasker since my youth. His hide and flesh should be exactly what we need. You should deliver it to Ere and your mother, last I have seen them they have prepared the tools to deal with anything you bring.” Taking a look at the crushed handles that were littering the are I had an idea.
“I have a hint for you father, if you want to get a grip on your strength try to remember the feeling you had as you supported mother after her change.” A deep look of contemplation spread across his face as I made my way towards the hut, Oliasker in tow.
As father had predicted I found Mother and Ere sitting on front of the hut. A wide array of tools laid spread out on the blanket they had used to cover the grass. The noise I had caused while dragging the carcass had long ago alerted them of my approach. Letting go of the bear I began to shrink to the size of a large dog and placed myself between them.
Seconds later Gale arrived, her anger already visibly reduced. Without regards for the tools she stomped towards me and gave a flick to my nose. “Meanie.” Was all she said before slumping down behind me. I got a questioningly gaze from mother but did not bother to explain as Gale began to absentmindedly play with my tail.
The warm sun kept bathing me with its rays, in the short times between naps I saw the progress of their work on the Oliasker. Like in fast forward the carcass was bled, skinned and dismantled until the sun finally was low enough for the shadows to invade my comfy spot.
It was already getting dark as father returned with a huge load of firewood. Once he had stored the wood he gave me a thumbs-up “It worked!” he proudly proclaimed to which mother again only shook her head.
We spent four days at the hut, fathers gear had been the most damaged but Ere's was not off much better. With enough time to finally tend to all the items even my saddle got an overhaul. Gale had figured out a way for the straps that secured the thing on my back to adjust to a certain amount of size change. But the main modification was a change to the seats to allow the larger tails to not bother its passengers.
The hide of the bear was plenty but in the end I had to hunt a few more random beasts, none of the quality of the Oliasker but the material was enough to deal with the small repairs they were needed for.
Father had managed to craft a decent sized barrel in which we stored salted meat, the thing was highly uncomfortable to swallow but I had long ago learned to ignore the annoying sensation.
While not perfect we managed to stock up on arrows, replace some shafts of broken spears and the gear was not close to falling apart anymore. Meditation and shared training had become part of our daily routine. While different in execution I joined our small group with my own set of exercises.
On the fifth day we finally set off again. Our appearance had vastly improved, no longer did we look like a ragged band of thieves. Gale had even invented a small fashion accessory, a small leather band that imprinted with runes could be worn on our horns. I had to admit those looked quite fancy and they even boosted the already good channeling ability of our horns.
With the assistance of a map, gifted to us by Samuel we had decided on the next destination.
Kreban, hailed as the greatest port city on this island was our goal. On the way we would get close to one of the major human city's called Jerias but currently we did not plan to stop there.
After getting lost two times we finally managed to find the road that would eventually lead us to Kreban. Only mothers honed experience gained from our time on the sea made us realize our mistake and turn back. The solidly paved road cut through the lands in peaceful waves, clinging to the changing terrain. We had missed it in an area where its constructors had deemed a tunnel through a hill to be less work than to go around it and we had crossed over the street thus missing it.
The road was perfectly empty, not a single soul could be seen as we proceeded in a moderate pace. We were still faster than galloping horses but that was due to the size I had assumed propelling us forward in a steady speed. The main advantage was that the height allowed mother to see over the canopy of trees as long as they were not too tall.
On the second day on the road mother finally sighted other people. We decided to shrink me down to more manageable dimensions that on top of being less threatening also allowed other travelers to pass us without having to pass between my legs. Honestly I could really do without having people sight-see my private parts so I welcomed the change, especially in settled areas.
A group of villagers were the first we met, they were in no hurry and barely took notice of us as we passed them. Gale kept an eye on them but they disappeared on a forest path shortly after. The closer we got to Jerias the denser became the villages and fields that clustered in its vicinity. The mighty trees of the forest had long made way to the gentle waving of cultivated plants.
With no need for trade we also avoided the villages that had actually grown around the street in some areas. The quality of the paths that allowed travelers to go around were of a far worse quality than the main street. Now I had to actually repair the ground, unlike the main road , here I left deep imprints in the soil as I sunk down to my ankles in the soaked roads.
The guards sometimes watched us with obvious hostility but they lost interest immediately as we made effort to not enter their villages. No matter how, I had a slight feeling that something was wrong, it took me three villages to figure it out. “No men!” My outburst startled my passengers but it only took me a moment to explain what I had observed.
Nearly all the villagers we had seen were female, only really old or young men could be seen a few times. We all knew what it meant, there was conflict brewing! The king must have had issued a call for arms, drafting the men of suitable age into the army.
We all agreed that avoiding the conflict was the best idea, but we lacked information on how or where it was gonna take place. But as the nature of conflict it soon knocked on our doors, figuratively speaking.
The silver sheen under the sunlight warned us long before the soldiers came actually into view. A small brigade of horsemen neared in the opposite direction. Trying to not get in trouble we used a medium patch of grass to make way for the riders.
But even with our effort the brigade stopped next to us, a man in obviously better gear than his men approached us. “In the name of the king, all men of age are to report to the main camp near Jerias!”
The knight had raised the visor of his silver helmet, his young face surprised me. His innocent eyes must have begged mother to tease him. She shook her bountiful breasts which immediately caused the young man to blush deep red. “Sorry young man, not many males around here. And the single one we have is already taken.”
Smiles were exchanged between the human soldiers as their young officer tried to regain his wits. As if on command an older soldier made his way to the front, it looked like we had earned us the attention of their commander. The weathered man released his young officer from his torment. Under a few joking comments from the remaining soldiers the young knight returned to his old spot.
“While that may be true ma'am, but our orders are clear, your husband and your steed are required in the upcoming conflict as ordered by his majesty.”
The dry and firm tone gave the impression of a long history of command. “I am sorry sir knight we are but a small tribe of nomads, we do not answer to your king.” The originally disinterested eyes of the commander gained a fierce spark as he began seizing us up. “Anyone born or raised in these lands is subject of my king, each humanoid of any race is his to command! No claim of neutrality or affiliation to tribes is enough to make you immune to his decree.”
Without showing any sign of being intimidated mother returned his fierce gaze. “Then my poor man you are wrong. Neither were any of us born on this small piece of land your king claims as his, nor are we
The man had become quite pale, “Then I am sorry for the interruption ma'am, I would suggest you take a different route then. The enemy has invaded and taken over Kreban, if you keep going in that direction you will be drawn into the conflict. I wish you a safe voyage, may the heavens protect you and your pack.”
We did not reply to him as his men made way for us. They remained standing for but a moment until they resumed their travel and we parted ways as they headed away from us.
POV knight captain Erunall
Three weeks ago the blasted Elves had attacked Kreban from the sea. The lord of the city had often claimed the invincibility of his city, but the walls fell in a matter of days! Disregarding all rules of warfare the tree-huggers slaughtered every soul in the city down to the last child. Like cattle they had bled them dry and built a wall of bodies in front of the main gate.
The general call for arms had been issued only a day later. We would sweep those excuses for intelligent life out of our lands. I had answered to the call voluntarily, praised for my eagerness to free the country from the elves, I was awarded the rank of captain and placed as second in command of a small cavalry unit.
My commander, a strict man named Rocus had mobilized us to assist in collecting recruits from the surrounding villages that had refused the call. He had been adamant in bringing in all those that would be a boon for our army. Because of that I was deeply surprised as he did not pressure the small tribe of beast-man we had met close to a village.
He did not answer any of my questions as we made our way to the designated encampment we would use for the night. Only after we had set up our tents did he call me to his side.
“Don't talk just listen, those were subjects of the mountain lords. No matter how similar they looked to beast-man, they were in fact beasts in humanoid form. The alpha had been very generous to not annihilate us for our transgression, my skill
That was the only time I ever saw my commander drown himself with strong spirits until he passed out. The last words he had spoken to me that evening kept ringing in my ears “Listen kiddo, the world is a far greater place than you can imagine. And it is populated by things you cannot even fathom!”
His words had hit a sore spot, the more I learned about the world and the things that roamed it, the more I began to question my decision to leave my village. Could I really change anything in a world that was home to figures of unimaginable power?
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Chapter 18 is in progress and may hit the site later in the day.
Chapter 17 is up enjoy
MfG : Dr_Dac